Identification of Molecular Markers Associated with COPD in non-smokers and smokers: A Bioinformatics Analysis

Abstract

Background: Even though the proportional burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among never-smokers is significant in both developing and developed nations, accounting for around 30% of all COPD in the community, there is little awareness of the prevalence of COPD in this population. Understanding the molecular processes that underlie COPD in nonsmokers is essential. Methods: A dataset (GSE146560) was acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The limma and clusterProfiler software tools were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and conduct a functional enrichment analysis respectively. Results: In all, 10,583 DEGs were found, of which 1,065 were up-regulated and 9,518 were down-regulated. Kyoto Ency-clopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways such as neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, taste transduction, maturity onset diabetes of the young, Hippo signaling pathway, insulin secretion, dilated cardiomyopathy, morphine addiction